New Orleans boat crash called ‘miracle on the Mississippi’ as everyone is accounted for, officials say

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called it "a literal miracle on the Mississippi" Friday after officials said everyone was accounted for following a tanker collision that capsized a docked New Orleans river cruiser and sent 32 passengers to hospitals.

"This is a miracle," Landry said at a news conference. "The Mississippi River is not some quiet pond, right? I mean, there were challenges out there."

Mayor Helena Moreno said none of the hospitalized passengers had critical injuries. Two Harbor Police officers were also hospitalized and were in good condition, officials said.

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"We have zero people unaccounted for, which is a miracle," Moreno said, crediting local, state and federal responders who jumped into the water to help.

Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham confirmed the search-and-rescue operation had ended.

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"We got everybody," Landry added.

Officials said the tanker lost control before striking the American Heritage. Passengers were evacuating when the cruiser began taking on water and capsized, leaving some people in the river and others on a portion of the vessel still above water.

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Harbor Police responded first, firefighters lowered ladders over the dock and nearby vessels helped pull people from the water. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said a police drone already airborne for an unrelated theft call was redirected to the scene within moments.

Landry said the incident remains under active investigation. Burnham said investigators were examining an apparent loss of steering, but the exact cause was not yet known.

The National Transportation Safety Board said on X that it was launching a Go Team to investigate the collision, with investigators expected to arrive Saturday morning. Board Member John DeLeeuw will serve as the spokesperson on scene, and details of media briefings will be announced once confirmed, the agency said.

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The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage around 12:30 p.m. on the Mississippi River, the Port of New Orleans said in a statement shared with Fox News. Port officials initially reported about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, aboard. Moreno later estimated roughly 180 to 190 people were on the ship.

University Medical Center New Orleans and other LCMC Health hospitals had earlier received an estimated two dozen patients following the incident, LCMC Health said in a statement. Medical teams were evaluating patients and providing care while coordinating with emergency responders. Moreno subsequently announced the updated total of 32 hospitalized passengers.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the Coast Guard was supporting state and local responders near mile marker 96 on the Mississippi River.

"We are throwing every asset we have to help rescue missing passengers," Mullin wrote on X, adding that DHS was coordinating closely with Louisiana officials. "Our prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible tragedy."

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American Cruise Lines confirmed that guests and crew were evacuated and said it was coordinating closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities.

"Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved," the company said in a statement. "We will share more information as it becomes available."

The United Cajun Navy said on X that it was on standby at the port.

The New Orleans Fire Department and NOLA Ready said in an earlier Facebook update that multiple people had been rescued and search-and-rescue operations were ongoing at the time of the post.

Acadian Ambulance said in an earlier update on X that it had transported eight patients and had 15 units and two sprint trucks on scene to assist New Orleans EMS and other first responders. The ambulance service said it was prepared to send additional units if needed.

Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel were on scene conducting rescue and response operations.

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Passengers were brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage and assistance, officials said. Moreno said crews conducted roll calls and checked hospital lists to account for everyone.

Officials were arranging hotel rooms, transportation, replacement prescriptions and ways for passengers to contact relatives after losing phones, identification and other belongings. The Red Cross and medical partners were helping, Moreno said. She said no children were aboard and no injuries were reported on the tanker.

The American Heritage had docked about two hours before the collision to begin letting passengers off.

According to the news release, skies were clear with no precipitation around the time of the collision, with temperatures in the upper 60s and north winds of 8 to 12 mph, gusting to 15 to 17 mph. The release listed the current water temperature at around 66 degrees.

At the news conference, Landry said Moreno called him in Baton Rouge to request resources. He contacted Mullin before President Donald Trump called to offer whatever assistance Louisiana needed. Landry said the state would continue helping until passengers were able to return home.

Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., said he was closely monitoring the response.

"I am devastated to hear about the ships crashing near the Port of New Orleans," Carter wrote on X. "I am monitoring the situation closely and praying for the swift rescue of survivors and for all emergency crews responding to the situation."

Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., also offered prayers for passengers and first responders.

"Praying for a successful rescue mission by the dedicated first responders on the scene near the Port of New Orleans, and for the health and safety of all passengers affected," Letlow wrote on X.

NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency, urged people to avoid the area and allow responders to work.